Volunteering
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Mariposa House Hospice. Volunteers are integral members of the hospice team who support our organization in a variety of ways. All volunteer applicants are carefully screened and, if selected as a candidate, must complete a training program that aligns with Hospice Palliative Care Ontario standards.
As a new residential hospice with a very small staff team, we are only able to bring on a select number of volunteers at a time, based on the needs of the hospice. Please know that we appreciate your interest and, if you are not selected for a volunteer position at this time, we will keep your application on file and circle back when we are ready to bring more volunteers onto the team.
We strive to truly engage volunteers and ensure that your time is wisely spent in a way that is a good fit for both you and the hospice.
We have two main categories of volunteers:
- In House Volunteers (full training program is required) – including Kitchen, Reception, and Resident/Family Support
- Organizational Support Volunteers (condensed training program) – including Fundraising/Events, Gardening, Maintenance, Board of Directors, Admin Support, and Ambassadors
More details regarding the volunteer categories and required training are provided below.
In House Volunteers / Full Training Program
Our full training program for “In House Volunteers” includes 8 hours of in class/facilitated learning combined with 15-20 hours of online learning through the HPCO (Hospice Palliative Care Ontario) Hospice Volunteer Curriculum.
Organizational Support Volunteers / Condensed training
Things to consider before applying
Before applying to become an In-House Volunteer at Mariposa House Hospice, we ask that you review the full list of self-screening questions on the application form below. Here are a few of the questions that you should consider before applying:
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Have you experienced a close loss within the last year? Please note that the hospice team will likely recommend that you wait at least one year after a major loss before taking on the commitment of an In- House Volunteer role.
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Are you able to complete approximately 30 hours of training? The training program for “In House Volunteers” is a combination of in- person/facilitated and independent online learning.
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Due to the robust nature of our screening and training process, we ask that each In-House Volunteer commit to a minimum of 1 year with us. Are you able to make that commitment?
If you have any questions about the self-screening questions or the other qualifications listed below, please don’t hesitate to reach out
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Minimum of 18 years of age, unless otherwise discussed with Executive Director
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Commitment to providing patient and family centered care
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Empathetic, flexible, understanding and a good listener
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Completion of screening and training requirements
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Able to meet time commitment for a minimum of one year
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Aware of risks (outlined on the description of each volunteer role)
SCREENING
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Interview
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Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
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Two personal references (not family members)
TRAINING
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Pre-requisite: Completion of screening process
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Completion of the hospice training course, and a commitment to further education as available.
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Post-training check in and orientation to role
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For kitchen volunteers: completion of PROTON (safe food handling) training
TIME COMMITMENT
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Minimum one year service
4 hours a week (some roles have designated shifts) -
Casual volunteers may fill in shifts as needed.
RISKS
The Process
There are 7 key steps to becoming a volunteer for Mariposa House Hospice consists of the following:
- Consider: Review the information package and think about what role you are interested in, and what skills/experience/personal attributes you are able to contribute. Review the self-screening questions above (or on the application form below) and carefully consider
whether to take the step of applying. Is this the right type of volunteering for you? Is now
the right time for you to make a commitment? - Apply: Submit an application using the form below. This includes a confirmation that you
have read the self-screening questions and carefully considered taking this step. - Interview: If selected, participate in an interview with the administrative team about what
makes you a good fit for hospice volunteering, and the current opportunities available. - Provide references: The hospice admin team will follow up with your references directly
- Request a Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening: The hospice admin
team will provide a letter to you that you can use to request a police record check. - Complete training program: You will be signed up to complete the in-person/facilitated
sessions and the online learning modules - Attend post-training check in: This allows an opportunity to reflect on the training
program, and determine whether you and the hospice admin team both agree that it’s a good fit for you to move forward with volunteering. This is also when you would sign confidentiality agreement and code of conduct, and receive a more specific orientation to the role you have been selected for.